Disorder - Hindlimb paralysis

Organ Systems Involved
Nervous/sensory

Alternative disorders described within LIDA

Taillessness; Stumptail

Alternative Names
Spinal dysplasia; Sacrocaudal dysgenesis; Neuroaxonal dystrophy

Presenting Signs

Hind limb paralysis is the lack of function and movement in the hind limb(s). There are many causes of hind limb paralysis; examples are trauma, a blood clot in the blood vessels, spinal cord damage or nerve damage to the leg.

One form of hindlimb paralysis is sacrocaudal dysgenesis. This is a genetic disease causing unformed or faulty formation of the lower bones of the spine and/or spinal cord. The type of symptoms depend on how serious the spinal malformation is and may include hind limb paralysis; it may also cause loss of function of the bladder and bowels. Another form, neuroaxonal dystrophy, is caused by degeneration and swelling of part of the nerve cells. Signs begin in kittens and include abnormal coat colour and un-coordinated movement of the hind limbs, which may lead to weakness and paralysis of the hind limbs.

Cats at Risk

Signs appear at a young age

Breeds Affected
Manx
Siamese


PubMed References
Hindlimb paralysis

Contributor
Monica Chiew